in name only

adverb

by title or repute though not in fact

-

he's a doctor in name only

• Syn: ↑in name

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in name only phrase

something that exists in name only has an official name, but has none of the qualities that you think of when you hear that name

Theirs was a marriage in name only.

Thesaurus: to name, or to have a particular name_synonym general words for names, and types of name_hyponym

Main entry: name

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by description but not in reality

a college in name only

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in name only (also in name)

— used to describe a person or thing that does not have the qualities that its name suggests

For many years, the Emperor was the ruler in name only. = The Emperor ruled in name but not in fact.

She's my boss in name only. We're really more like partners.

a friend in name only

• • •

Main Entry: ↑name

————————

in name only — see ↑name, 1

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Main Entry: ↑only

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in ˈname only idiom

officially recognized but not existing in reality

•

He's party leader in name only.

Main entry: ↑name_idiom